Hi,


I'm just finishing my new Product Packages Plugin for BVC and before I release it I was curious if anyone would like to beta-test it with me.

I'd also like to get somem help in creating a nice CSS for it as my CSS skills are very weak.



What does the new offers module give you:

<UL>
* Allows you to bundle multiple products into a single package and offer a special price for the whole package

* The packages will automatically be displayed for each of the products in the package thus increasing the change for the customer to purchase the full package and not just one product

* A product can be part of multiple packages

* Multiple packages can be applied on the same order however a discount will be applied for a single item in the package.

* Multiple items of the same product can be part of different packages in the same order

* Powerful and easy to configure

* Can be combined with all existing offer types
</UL>
The module is not yet ready for production mostly because of the CSS issues however everything else works so a beta tester would be very welcome.

More details about ACorns - Product Package Pluging can be found here http://www.acorns.com.au/bv/blog/?p=28

Expected sale price for the package $100USD.

Regards,
Corneliu.

At first glance, it looks good.

Say that I place Product "A" (a drum) and Product "B" (a stand) into the cart separately. Will the cart will automatically detect an existing 'package' and set the SKU to "C" and Product to the Drum/Stand Package with the discounted price?

If the drum has a volume discount for 2, and I buy a drum as part of a package and one more separately, will the drum in the package set the price for the non-packaged drum to the '2' price? If 2 drums are ordered but only one stand, the "C" Package would apply - shouldn't the discounted price on the second drum be charged?

How would this work if the drum had modifiers that change the size and price, or choices that change the SKU?

If the stand is unreasonably delayed and the shopper cancels the stand part of the order, how is the value of the credit calculated? Is the full price of the drum charged, or is the discounted price of the stand credited and how are these values set?

Seems to me that each item in the package needs to have a "if i'm in a package, this is my packaged value" so credits upon return/cancelation can be calculated.

Will you allow for separate manufacturers (drop shippers) and separate "ship-froms"? How do you get shipping info to UPS/Fed Ex if there are three separate items being shipped? Will the back end still use the individual SKUs for this?

Just some random thoughts. I like the concept.








I'm getting a feel for the reasons that BVC's Kitting is delayed.

Birdsafe,
I've updated the post (http://www.acorns.com.au/bv/blog/?p=28) with screenshots and answers to your question. When you add a Package the individual products in the package are added to the cart then the package price is applied on them.
The last screenshot explains that.
Yes, the package module it smart enough to "hide" itself if it knows its of no value.
At the moment the package only supports fixed prices (e.g. $100)/
If a user has for example a code that will discount a product or is part of a price group and the package itself would not add any value (e.g. Purchasing the products in the package individually would be cheaper than the proposed package) then the package will not display itself nor apply so it does not interfere with the customer.
I don't want to offer a $250 package for 3 products to my wholesale buyers who pay for that only $200 anyway :)
If I change the package to support procents (20% discount if you buy the package) then this will apply to everyone.
If people want I might try to "lock" a package to be applied only for users part of a group but this is not in my development plan at the moment.
Regards,
Corneliu

Looks good - I'll tackle with it soon -- when you say the trial version only allows one package in the cart -- is that one of the same package, or won't allow you multiple (different) packages? And if you Order the plug-in, will that clear that limitation or do you only have a "trial" at this stage?